San Antonio Standard

During a May 7 San Antonio City Council meeting, a local man considered a "regular" at Council meetings had the microphone turned off during a hate-speech debate, said investigative reporter Jaie Avila in a tweet.

The council was discussing a COVID-19 Anti-Hate Resolution, introduced by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. The resolution condemns hate speech, violent action and the spread of misinformation related to the coronavirus.

Part of the resolution reads:

“The City of San Antonio denounces antisemitism, anti-Asian bigotry, and all hateful speech, violent action and the spread of misinformation related to COVID-19 that casts blame, promotes racism or discrimination or harms the City of San Antonio Asian and Pacific Islander, Jewish, immigrant or other communities. The City of San Antonio joins cities, counties and states across the country in affirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members, including the Asian and Jewish communities, and in combatting hate crimes targeting Asians, Jews and Pacific Islanders. The City of San Antonio will continue its efforts to protect residents and targets and victims of hate, and to prosecute and curb hate acts related to COVID-19 in partnership with nonprofit organizations, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, the San Antonio Police Department and other law enforcement partners.”

Jack Finger, a local conservative activist spoke against the resolution for condemning the term “Chinese virus” because the virus originated in China.

The Texan quotes Finger as saying:

“Would I be committing a hate crime if I said that the Asian flu came from Asia? Or that the West Nile virus came from the West Nile area? Would I be discriminating against those folks? Apparently through this resolution you’re saying I would, and you’d want to throw me in jail for that,” said Finger.

He then pointed out that there was a city document requesting citizens report violations of the city’s “Stay at Home, Work Safe Order,” and chastised councilors for not wearing face masks, and not maintaining social distancing when his microphone was muted.

Council Member Manny Pelaez said in response to Finger, "hate speech is more dangerous than the virus itself," according to another tweet from Jaie Avila. 

The council passed the resolution by a vote of 11-0.

The mayoral memo and the draft resolution are accessible by following this link. Video of the discussion on this topic is also available as well.